Sing For Life
by Bono (featuring will.i.am & Jennifer Hudson)

Album: Single release only (2020)
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Songfacts®:

  • On March 17, 2020, millions of Irish men and women were unable to properly celebrate St. Patrick's Day because of the Coronavirus social distance restrictions. Bono responded by writing a Lennon-ish piano ballad titled "Let Your Love Be Known" in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

    Uploaded to Instagram about an hour after it was written, Bono penned it "For the Italians who inspired it... for the Irish... for ANYONE who this St. Patrick's day is in a tight spot and still singing. For the doctors, nurses, carers on the frontline, it's you we're singing to."
  • Within a few days, Bono had turned the song into a more polished number titled "Sing for Life," featuring Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Yoshiki of the Japanese rock band X. Each artist recorded their contribution in isolation at their own home.
  • Will.i.am got to hear the song before it appeared on Instagram after Bono shared it on a group chat. "I got really moved and inspired by it and I added to it and I sent it to him on the thread," he explained on the Good Morning Britain program. "We talked about creating a baton so people at home can participate - whether they're just listening to it or commenting or singing along or making their own renditions."

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